One of the highlights of the 5th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey this year was the first showing anywhere in the world of a unique Ferrari 400 Superamerica which was uniquely clothed by the factory in Spyder California bodywork.

One of the highlights of the 58th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey this year was the first showing anywhere in the world of a unique Ferrari 400 Superamerica which was uniquely clothed by the factory in Spyder California bodywork.

The world-famous Concours on the seafront in California this August in particular celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Ferrari 250 GT Spyder California, and on the 18th hole green of the Pebble Beach Golf Course the iconic sports car was represented by six immaculate examples, representing each of the six versions built in Maranello. Total production of the 250 GT Spyder California was just 105 cars.

Alongside this eye-catching half-dozen was the original factory prototype, revealing a host of small detailing differences, and finally, complimenting this showcase, was a truly unique 400 Superamerica, built at Maranello in 1961 and entered in the Concours by Robert M. Lee Sparks of Nevada, which had been specially finished by the factory in Spyder California bodywork.

“This Superamerica is the only one of its kind, and looks just like a pregnant Spyder California due to its bigger chassis and engine,” said Ed Gilbertson, Chief Judge of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and a renown Ferrari expert. “Although it’s not truly a Spyder California, it’s certainly a close cousin and looks just like the exceptional beauty that it replicates."

The Ferrari 400 Superamerica Scaglietti Spyder, to give it its full name, was built in 1961 specially for Ferrari director Michel Paul-Cavalier of the Pont-a-Mousson transmission company in France, a member of the board of SEFAC Ferrari. Although it looks much more like a 250 GT SWB Spyder than a 400 Superamerica, it not only uses the latter's chassis, but also its powerful 4-litre V12 engine (rather than the 3.0-litre unit from the 250 GT California). At Pebble Beach last month this truly unique car attracted a huge amount of interest in its glittering surroundings as it made a welcome public debut having spent so long in the shadows.